5 Fixes for Chipped Teeth

So you’ve managed to chip one of your teeth? Don’t panic! Although it may seem like the end of the world, advancements in dental technology now allow us to repair the damage, restoring the appearance and function of your tooth. When it comes to repairing dental damage, however, time is very important. If you have chipped a tooth, contact our NW Austin emergency dental office immediately!

Wondering what treatment options are available to repair your chipped tooth? Here are just a few:

Recontouring

For patients that experience a very small and minor chip, a recontouring of the tooth enamel may be possible to restore the damage. Using a specialized dental tool, your NW Austin emergency dentist can smoothen the enamel of your tooth, repairing the minor damage.

Filling or Bonding

Other options for patients with minor tooth chipping include dental fillings or bonding. The affected tooth will first be thoroughly cleaned, and then a composite resin material will be used to fill or bond the affected area. At Northwest Austin Family Dentistry, we use tooth-colored composites, allowing us to blend the area with your natural smile.

Dental Crown

When the damage to your tooth is more severe, a dental crown may be recommended to repair the damage. If any decay is present, it will be thoroughly cleaned before the dental crown is placed. Tooth-colored materials can be used to mill your crown so that it will blend with the rest of your smile. A dental crown is used to cover the entire tooth, preventing additional decay and damage from occurring down the road.

Porcelain Veneers

For patients that have damaged or chipped the front of a tooth, dental veneers can be a great treatment option for restoring the appearance of your smile. Veneers are thin shells which are placed over the front of teeth, concealing any damage or flaws.

Root Canal Therapy

If the damage to your tooth has infected or inflamed the tooth pulp, a root canal may be recommended. During root canal therapy, the infected tooth pulp will be removed and thoroughly cleaned. Once any decay or infection has been removed, your Austin dentist will seal the tooth, preventing further complications.

After your root canal therapy, your dentist may recommend additional treatments to ensure the tooth is protected and functional.